"Oh, boy!" Julia exclaimed. "Let's hurry up and get in the water."
"Eat your lunch, Julia," Luke said. "You'll need the energy to keep up with the turtles."
"There's a turtle sanctuary in Bequia; we'll be there in a day or two. It was started by a retired fisherman. He's managed to get the people in most of the islands to collect the hatchlings before they get snapped up by predators. They watch the nests, and when the little guys dig out and run for the water, they scoop 'em up and send them to his place. They raise them in tanks until they're big enough to survive in the wild. Otherwise the mortality rate of the hatchlings is huge — like over 90 percent," Connie said.
"Can we go there?" Julia asked.
"You bet. Visitors are welcome; it's supported by donations," Connie said.
Silence replaced the conversation as they tasted Paul's cold pasta salad with fresh seafood. Even Julia managed to put aside her excitement long enough to clean her plate.
They were just finishing the platter of fresh fruit and cheese that Paul had served for dessert when they were startled by the sound of a disembodied voice calling, "Ahoy, Diamantista!"
Connie stood, looking around for the source. Following the sound, she stepped onto the port side-deck.
"Down here," came another call, as she scanned the surrounding water for a dinghy or another boat. She looked down, spotting a boy with a dive mask pushed up on his forehead treading water a few feet from their starboard side.
"Hi," she said, smiling.
"Hi. I'm Joey," he said, "from Sueño, just off your bow."
"Nice to meet you, Joey. I'm Connie. Is Sueño your parents' boat?"
"No, my uncle's," he said. "I'm just visiting; I'm out of school for Thanksgiving."
She saw his eyes flick toward her left side, and a smile lit his face. She glanced around to see Julia standing next to her.
"Where do you go to school?" Julia asked.
"Oh, up in North Carolina. Nowhere you ever heard of."
"College?" Julia asked.
He grinned, shaking his head as he continued to tread water. "Next year, I hope."
"So how long have you been here?" Julia asked.
"In the Tobago Cays?" he asked.
"Right."
"Um, like, two days, I think. The days kinda, like, run together?"
"Have you been over to that spot where they have all the sea turtles?"
"Yeah! It's way cool. They're pretty tame, like."
Connie smiled. "Excuse me, you two."
She resumed her seat at the cockpit table, where the four adults listened as the two teenagers continued to chat in a soft tone. After a minute or two, Julia came back to join them.
"Joey says there's a really cool little reef between his boat and ours."
"Yes, probably so," Connie said. "There are little patch reefs scattered all through here. They're each a little different — all pretty, though."
"Dad?"
"Yes."
"Can I go snorkel with Joey? Just the little reef between the boats. You'll be able to ... "
"I don't see why not. You've already got your suit on."
"Go ahead and jump in, Julia. I'll get the gear out and meet you at the swim platform," Paul offered.
"Be careful," Monica said.
"I will," Julia agreed. She dove gracefully over the lifelines, leaving a trail of silvery bubbles in the crystalline water. Several seconds later, her head popped up next to Joey's, and the two swam around to the stern to meet Paul.
Connie saw the sober look on Luke's face as he watched Julia and the boy swim past Diamantista, headed toward Sueño, the movements of their fins seeming to be synchronized as the two sleek forms sliced through the water side by side.
"Relax, Luke," Monica said. "They're just going swimming.
"I know," he groused, "but ... "
"She hasn't expressed much interest in boys, yet," Monica said to Connie and Paul, who had joined them at the table again.
"Mm-hmm," Connie said. "She told me she'd been out a couple of times on double-dates with her best friend. She said the boy was okay. Nice, but just okay."
"That's what I like to hear," Luke said. "Nice, but just okay."
"So, do the two of you want to do anything special?" Paul asked. "Beachcombing? Snorkeling on Horseshoe Reef? Go see the turtles?"
"I think we should wait on the turtles until Julia's back," Monica said. "She was pretty excited about swimming with them."
"Horseshoe Reef," Luke said, "is that big reef out there?" He gestured toward the east.
"Yes. It's the last thing between us and Africa," Paul said.
"Can we swim to it?" Monica asked.
"Sure," Connie said, "but it's farther than it looks. You should take the dinghy; use your energy for exploring."
"Are you coming?" Monica asked.
Connie and Paul exchanged glances.
"I think I'd like to read for a while," Connie said.
"You comfortable taking the dinghy by yourselves?" Paul asked. "I could catch up on a little boat maintenance, but I don't mind running you out there if you'd prefer it."
"We'll be fine," Luke said. "Is there an anchor in the dinghy?"
"Yes, but if you head up that way," Paul stood and pointed, "you'll find several dinghy moorings."
"Okay, I see them," Luke said.
"Just tie off to one of them. That puts you close to a break in the reef, if you want to swim through and check out the ocean side."
"Got it," Luke said.
Connie and Paul sat in the shade in the cockpit, watching the activity in the anchorage. They glanced toward Sueño periodically, watching as Julia and Joey swam and dove on the little reefs that dotted the sandy bottom of the anchorage.
"It was funny to hear her try to describe going out with that boy on the double dates," Connie said.
"Julia? How so?" Paul asked.
"Well, she'd just got done saying that she thought you and I were really lucky because of the way we got along, and she started kind of feeling me out on the subject of boys."
"Mm," Paul said, leaning back and closing his eyes, enjoying the breeze on his face. "So what did you tell her?"
"There wasn't much for me to tell. When I was her age, I was too busy working to pay much attention to boys, so I drew her out a bit."
"That when you heard about her girlfriend's boyfriend's friend?"
"Right, but I got kind of tickled when she tried to tell me about him. She said, 'He's an okay guy. He's nice and all, but ... I dunno. He's just not ... ' and that really struck a chord. That describes most guys who aren't jerks. I met a lot more jerks than I did the 'I dunno ... ' kind, I guess. Present company excepted, of course."
"Thanks. You had me worried for a minute. I was hoping for at least an 'I dunno ... ' status."
"Don't be silly; you know how I feel about you. I ... "
"I know something's bothering you, Connie. I'm not going to push you, but I'll be here when you're ready, okay?"
"Julia's right," Connie said. "I'm a lucky girl. Bring me a glass of cold juice?"
"Aye-aye, captain," Paul said, standing and flipping her a casual salute as he turned toward the companionway.
When he came back up, Julia was stretched out along the side-deck, sunning herself.
"He's nice enough, I guess," she said, in reply to Connie's question about Joey. "Like you said, better that than a jerk."
"Want some cold passion fruit juice while I'm at it, Julia?" Paul asked, handing a beaded glass to Connie.
"Sure." Julia sat up, spreading a towel over her shoulders and wrapping her arms around her knees. "Where're Dad and Monica?"
Paul ducked below to get her juice.
"They're snorkeling the main reef," Connie said.
"Oh. Good. I was afraid they were swimming with the turtles; I came back 'cause I didn't want to miss doing that with them."
Paul handed her a glass and sat down, taking a sip of his own juice. "They specifically said
they were saving that to do with you. Probably once they get back and rest a few minutes, we should all go over there. I never get tired of the turtles."
"Me, either. I'm in," Connie said. "If that's okay with you guys," she added, looking at Julia.
"Of course it is. Monica and Dad really like you two. Me, too. It's nice that you don't treat me like a kid."
"That's because you don't act like a kid," Paul said, winking at Connie.
"Both of his parents were killed in an automobile accident. He's been living with his uncle ever since. I think for about five years," Julia said, in response to Luke's question about Troy. They were sitting around the table in Diamantista's saloon, letting their dinner settle before Paul served the dessert course.
"But he said he was visiting his uncle while school was out," Monica said.
"Different uncle," Julia said. "I think Harry — that's the guy on Sueño — is his mother's brother. The uncle in North Carolina is his father's brother. Joey's last name is Simpson. I think Harry's is Golden, or something like that."
"What's Harry do?" Luke asked.
"Do?" Julia asked.
"For a living," Luke said.
"Oh. I don't know. I didn't talk to him or anything. We just swam up to the boat, and Joey introduced me to him."
There was moment of silence as Paul slipped out of his seat and stepped into the galley.
"Thanks for waiting for me to swim with the turtles," Julia said. "They're so cool — the way they just seem to glide around in slow motion. But they can really move it when they want to. They look so awkward out of the water, like when I've seen them in captivity. But they're not. They're really graceful in the water."
"They really are," Connie agreed. "There's more to them than you'd think. We mentioned the retired fisherman in Bequia who started the sanctuary there. He's got one turtle there that's a pet. He's had her for years; he used to see her when he was fishing, and she got kind of tame. One day he noticed she was hurt — a cut on her flipper or something — so he brought her home to take care of her and she wouldn't leave. She stays in a tank at his place, and she recognizes him. When he walks up, she'll splash water on him from the tank and swim away, like she's teasing him. Won't do it with anybody else. And if he puts his hand in the tank, she comes over for him to pet her."
"I never knew they'd do that," Monica said.
"I'm not sure anybody else did, either."
"I definitely want to see that," Julia said. "When are we going to Bequia?"
"Whenever you decide," Connie said. "It's not far — just a few hours of easy sailing."
"I'd vote for another day here," Monica said. "It's so peaceful, and didn't you say we could go ashore on the little islands?"
"Sure," Paul said. "It's kind of fun to climb to the high points and take in the view. The trails are pretty easy. You could do all three of the bigger ones in a day."
"Joey was asking if we were going to Bequia. I told him we were, but I wasn't sure when. They're heading there tomorrow, I think."
"Did you want to try to meet up with him?" Monica asked.
"Oh, if it works out, I guess. They're going to be there for a few days. It's a favorite hangout of his uncle's."
"It's a popular hangout for a lot of cruising boats," Connie said. "It's a nice, reasonably protected spot and there are good restaurants and bars, and some nice beaches. It's a tiny island — only a few thousand people, and very friendly."
"It's a special place," Paul added. "Everybody who visits falls under its spell. There's also great snorkeling all around there, and an interesting old whaling station on one of the little islands a few hundred yards to the south."
"Whaling?" Julia asked. "There are whales here?"
"Yep. We see them fairly often. Bequia was actually settled by whalers. They're still allowed to take a few each year by the International Whaling Commission."
"I thought they were protected," Monica said.
"They are, but I don't think three men in a 20-foot boat throwing a harpoon by hand are much of a threat. Apparently, the IWC doesn't, either."
"Do they ever get one?" Luke asked.
"Occasionally. It's a major event when they do. The whole town turns out to butcher it, and they all go home with buckets of this fatty meat. It's pretty gross-looking, but I guess it's food. They don't even come close to their quota of, I think it's four a year," Connie said.
"I hope we see one," Julia said. "I mean, while we're sailing. I don't want to see them catch one. That seems sad."
"We may well," Connie said. "You'll just have to keep a sharp watch."
The conversation stopped as Paul set a bowl of chocolate mousse in front of each of them.
11
"That was a great stop, the Tobago Cays," Monica said. "I'm definitely in island mode now; I really needed to wind down from work. I can't believe you and Paul live like this all the time. I'm absolutely green with envy." She and Connie were alone in the cockpit. Julia and Luke were talking softly on the foredeck, watching for whales, and Paul was cleaning up after breakfast. They had spent yesterday dawdling in the Tobago Cays and were sailing to Bequia this morning.
"It's a good life," Connie agreed. "At least for us. I think a lot of people find long-term cruising to be boring, but running charters keeps it interesting for us. We meet some fascinating people, and their reactions remind us of why we're doing this."
"I guess it could get dull for some people," Monica mused. "I can't imagine what it would be like for somebody like Joey's uncle. I mean, what's he do when Joey's not here? You suppose he's by himself all the time?"
"Could be. There are a fair number of loners knocking around on boats; they're called single-handers. They can be a little strange, sometimes. Some of them are just between relationships. They're the ones that are easy to spot, because they'll talk you to death if they get the chance. Being alone takes its toll, I guess. But then there are some who are like gnomes. They hunker down in their boats and hardly ever come outside. Who knows what they do to amuse themselves? Sometimes their boats look like floating junk piles, too, never moving. That usually goes with the gnome syndrome. You can't tell about people. I know there are loners ashore, too, but they don't stick out as much, I guess."
"The boat Joey and his uncle are on looks reasonably well-kept," Monica said, frowning slightly.
"Yes, it does." Connie glanced over at Monica. "Oh, I'm sorry, Monica. I didn't mean to worry you. There's no reason to think anything's amiss about Joey and his uncle."
"Thanks, but I can't help worrying about Julia. Both of us do. There's a lot I didn't tell you about what she went through."
"Well, Paul and I have both commented that she's remarkably mature for her age. She's apparently none the worse for whatever she's been through."
"It's hard to tell. She's okay physically, but we're all seeing a shrink just in case. The guy her mother was married to was seriously weird."
"Julia said he gave her the creeps, but she didn't volunteer anything beyond that he was a jerk."
"That's understating it. He had a multiple personality disorder. It came out afterward that he'd been institutionalized for a good bit of his adolescence. He was a serial killer preying on young women. The police were closing in on him when he and Sarah, um, ended it, however that went."
"Oh, my," Connie said. "I didn't have the easiest time growing up, but guess it was idyllic compared to what Julia must have weathered."
"Probably. She's doing well, but the doctor said it could be like post-traumatic stress syndrome; she could just come undone one day."
"I can see why you and Luke would be anxious, then."
Monica nodded, gazing at the horizon off their port side.
"Monica?" Connie asked, after a minute or two.
"Yes?"
"Would you and Luke be more comfortable if we didn't go to Bequia while Joey's there? We can come up with a reason to delay, and there're plenty of other nice spots. I've got somebody I can call in Bequ
ia to let us know when they've moved on, if you think ... "
"No, I don't think so. I appreciate the offer, but we can't overdo it. The doctor has said several times that we need to let her experience life — at least the normal ups and downs that everybody has to go through. Dating qualifies as normal ups and downs, don't you think?"
"Sure. And Joey did seem like a pretty nice kid. Mature for his age, like Julia."
"So we gonna do it here?" Linton asked. He and Troy were eating a late breakfast in a small restaurant that overlooked Bequia's main street.
"In Bequia? Probably as good a place as any," Troy said, mopping up egg yolk with a soggy piece of toast.
"Pretty convenient for delivery purposes," Linton said. "Few hours up the coast, duck in for a quick stop, and then on to St. Lucia."
"That'll be a fun place with money in our pockets," Troy said. "All them babes at the resorts at Rodney Bay, lookin' for love."
"Yeah, and I can restock the stash; rather deal with people I trust than these robbers down here."
"If you'd stick to weed, you'd be a lot better off, man," Troy said. "Fuckin' coke's bad shit."
"You do your shit, I'll do mine. You think you got her softened up enough?"
"Yeah, I think so. Won't know for sure 'til we give her a try."
"You sure she's a virgin?"
"Look, dumbass, how the hell would I know? Chances are ... "
"The man ordered a virgin; he's sellin' to one of them raghead bastards. They're into that shit."
"She's fifteen. No boyfriend; hasn't dated much. Best I can do, short of givin' her a Goddam gymnological exam, or whatever the fuck they call 'em."
"You stupid shit. Gymnological, my ass," Linton shook his head, laughing. "Them lady doctors are called gemologists. It's a good thing you're cute. You'd fuckin' starve to death if you had to live by your wits."
"You'd be the one starvin', shithead. Long's I got my looks, I ain't likely to miss no meals."
"Yeah, yeah. What if they don't come here?"
"Then I guess we'll have to find some other jailbait to sell. Where else they gonna go? She said they were talkin' about comin' here. I figured it'd be better if we got ahead of 'em and waited. Kinda like playin' hard to get. If we'd a followed along with 'em, it woulda probably made her parents nervous."
Sailor's Delight - A Connie Barrera Thriller: The 2nd Novel of the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Connie Barrera Thrillers) Page 8